ARTICLES ABOUT FIREWORKS BY DATE - PAGE 5

Soccer matches at a popular Lincoln Park neighborhood pitch have been canceled after officials learned that it was burned over the Fourth of July weekend, evidently by fireworks, officials said. Chicago Park District officials estimated Wednesday that it would cost $15,000 to repair the damage and that the district has already lost $4,200 this week because of the canceled matches. "The field's unplayable," said Chris Hastings, vice president of the Chicago Sport and Social Club, which holds its games at the field.

By Hal Dardick and John Byrne, Chicago Tribune reporters | July 10, 2013

Talks about the size of outfield signs for Wrigley Field continued Tuesday just days before a key City Hall meeting, with Mayor Rahm Emanuel saying the sides were "literally a few feet away" from reaching an agreement. The signs have been one of the most contentious points in the wide-ranging Wrigleyville redevelopment plan being hashed out in talks involving Emanuel, Cubs CEO Tom Ricketts and Ald. Tom Tunney, 44th. The mayor's optimism came as the Cubs acknowledged their proposal includes a request to allow fireworks at the historic ballpark, possibly as part of home run celebrations akin to the scoreboard pyrotechnics that occur when a White Sox player hits a round-tripper at U.S. Cellular Field.

Who says July 4 is bad for Broadway box office? Not spring openers "Kinky Boots," "Motown" and "Matilda," which all hit best-yet tallies in a frame that can sometimes be a rough one for Rialto productions. With fireworks, barbecues and other outdoor activities keeping tourists and local auds alike away from theaters, Independence Day has in past years punctured the late-June swell in grosses that tends to occur as summer tourism kicks into high gear. To a degree, that phenomenon still occurred this year: Overall sales were down some $2.2 million, slipping to $22.3 million for 23 shows on the boards.

I for one do not feel in the least bit sorry for those hurt or maimed by illegal use of fireworks over the July Fourth weekend. Forrest Gump said it best: "Stupid is as stupid does. " - Herb Stark, Mooresville, N.C.

NBC was once again the ratings winner on an Independence Day, dominating Thursday night's network ratings battle with its annual "Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular." According to Nielsen estimates, NBC drew as many young adults in primetime Thursday as the next two closest broadcast networks -- CBS and Fox -- combined. The two-hour Macy's special averaged a 1.5 rating/7 share in adults 18-49 and 7.1 million viewers overall from 8 to 10 p.m., and then repeated well at 10 p.m. (1.3/6 in 18-49, 5.5 million viewers overall)

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A major accident at an Independence Day fireworks show in Simi Valley, California, left dozens of spectators injured, police said on Friday, as suspicion fell on a collapsed launching platform as the cause. "What we understand is potentially one of the launching stations fell over, resulting in ignited fireworks going into the crowd," Simi Valley police spokesman Sergeant Tom Meyer said. There was no sign of foul play, Simi Valley police said in a statement.

CAIRO, July 3 (Reuters) - Fireworks burst over Cairo's Tahrir Square, the centre of protests against Mohamed Mursi, and across the Egyptian capital after the army suspended the constitution and appointed a new, interim head of state on Wednesday. "The people and the army are one hand," protesters cheered in the square, amid the roar of horns and chanting, a Reuters witness said. (Reporting by Maggie Fick; Writing by Alexander Dziadosz)

I have a fond memory of lying on the deck of a sailboat my dad chartered, anchored in the calm harbor waters, and gazing up as fireworks burst to the rhythm of patriotic music. As a kid, I wondered how it was done. As a journalist, I decided it was about time I answered that question. A call to Navy Pier was all it took to get me connected to the busy minds behind the complicated design. The result was the story in Wednesday's Chicago Tribune. The group of men were patient with my questions via phone calls during the busiest time of the year for them.